As Australia’s packaging reform agenda moves closer to implementation, Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation is strengthening its leadership and operational capability, appointing Tom Key as chief operating officer to help drive the systems, reporting and delivery frameworks needed for the next phase of industry reform.
The national packaging reform conversation is shifting from ambition to implementation, with the focus now turning to the systems, standards and operational capability needed to deliver Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and broader packaging reform in practice.
That was the message from Chris Foley in a recent update to members of Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), announcing the appointment of Tom Key as the organisation’s new chief operating officer.
Foley said APCO has continued engaging with governments, regulators and stakeholders across the packaging value chain as preparations advance for future packaging reform measures, including EPR frameworks.
According to Foley, industry discussions are now centred less on why reform is needed and more on how it will be implemented effectively at a national level.
“The message is consistent,” Foley said. “Australia does not just need stronger ambition. It needs the operating system to deliver reform in practice.”
He pointed to the need for trusted data, clear standards, stronger assurance processes, consistent expectations and nationally scalable systems capable of supporting investment, accountability and improved packaging outcomes over time.
The appointment of Key is positioned as part of APCO’s effort to strengthen its operational and delivery capability ahead of the next phase of reform.
Key joins APCO with experience spanning environmental regulation, digital transformation, customer experience, product design and organisational change management.
Foley said the role would focus on building the operational discipline and systems needed to support delivery across an increasingly complex packaging reform landscape.
“As Tom has put it: execution is the strategy,” Foley said.
The APCO CEO also acknowledged that the transition towards stronger accountability across the packaging value chain would require more robust reporting systems and fee methodologies, alongside data capable of standing up to regulatory scrutiny.
“We need data that stands up to scrutiny. Reporting that reflects reality. Fee methodologies that support better behaviour. Systems that can scale nationally,” Foley said.
The appointment comes as industry continues to await greater clarity on the federal government’s proposed packaging regulation reforms, which are expected to reshape compliance, reporting and stewardship obligations across the sector.
